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Abstract:

A farm implement configured to be releasibly coupled to a tractor
equipped with a rearwardly oriented power take of device. The farm
implement includes a central frame; at least two forward crop engaging
arms mounted on the frame that extend outward from a central axis to a
first width; and at least two crop rearward engaging arms mounted on the
frame. The rearward crop engaging arms extend outward from a central axis
to a second width; A plurality of crop engaging members are positioned on
each of the forward and rearward crop engaging arms. The implement also
includes a power transmission mechanism operatively connected to the
forward crop and rearward engaging arms and engageable with the power
take off apparatus on the associated tractor.

Claims:

1. A farm implement configured to be releasibly coupled to a tractor, the
tractor having at least one rearwardly oriented power take of device, the
farm implement comprising: a central frame, the central frame having
means for releasibly coupling the frame to a tractor; at least two first
crop engaging arms mounted on the central frame, the first crop engaging
arms extending outward from a central axis to a first width wherein the
first crop engaging arms have an outermost end; at least two second crop
engaging arms operatively connected to the central frame, the second crop
engaging arms extending outward from a central axis to a second width
wherein the second width is greater than the first width, wherein the
second crop engaging arms have an outermost end; a plurality of crop
engaging members, where a crop engaging member is positioned on each of
said first and second crop engaging arms; and at least one power
transmission mechanism operatively connected to said first and second
crop engaging arms, the power transmission mechanism configured to be
releasibly coupled to the rearwardly oriented power take off apparatus on
the associated tractor.

2. The farm implement apparatus of claim 1 wherein the crop engaging
members are mowing devices, each mowing device having a defined width,
the crop engaging members positioned in staggered relationship relative
to the central frame.

3. The farm implement of claim 1 wherein the first crop engaging arms are
oriented proximate to the tractor when the device is in the use position.

4. The farm implement apparatus of claim 2 wherein the power transmission
mechanism comprises at least one central junction, at least one side
drive shaft associated with each of the forward crop engaging arms and at
least one intermediate drive shaft operatively connected to the central
junction, the intermediate drive shaft, operatively connected to the
rearward crop engaging arms.

5. The farm implement apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least
one control mechanism, the control mechanism configured to operate the
respective crop engaging arms.

6. The farm implement apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least
one mechanism configured to move an associated crop engaging arm from the
first use position to a at least one second position, wherein the device
further comprises at least one central junction, at least one side drive
shaft associated with each of the first crop engaging arms and at least
one intermediate drive shaft operatively connected to the central
junction, the intermediate drive shaft, operatively connected to the
rearward crop engaging arms.

7. The farm implement apparatus of claim 4 wherein the power junction is
a differential.

8. The farm implement apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an end
frame connected to the central frame wherein the second crop engaging
arms are mounted to the end frame and wherein the power transmission
system comprises at least one differential mounted on the central frame
at least one drive shaft coupled to the drive shaft associated with each
of the first crop engaging arms, at least one intermediate drive shaft
operatively connected to the differential and communicating with the
second crop engaging arms.

9. The farm implement apparatus of claim 8 wherein the end frame includes
at least one releasable connection device oriented between the end frame
and a location on the central frame distal to the means for releasable
coupling to the tractor.

10. An farm implement assembly comprising: a tractor, the tractor having
a front and a width, and at least one rearwardly oriented power take of
device; and a farm implement that is composed of a central frame, the
central frame coupled to a tractor; at least two first crop engaging arms
mounted on the central frame, the first crop engaging arms extending
outward from a central axis to a first width wherein the first crop
engaging arms have an outermost end; at least two second crop engaging
arms operatively connected to the central frame, the second crop engaging
arms extending outward from a central axis to a second width wherein the
second width is greater than the first width, wherein the second crop
engaging arms have an outermost end; a plurality of crop engaging
members, where a crop engaging member is positioned on each of said first
and second crop engaging arms; and at least one power transmission
mechanism operatively connected to said first and second crop engaging
arms, the power transmission mechanism configured to be releasibly
coupled to the rearwardly oriented power take off apparatus on the
associated tractor.

11. The farm implement assembly of claim 10 wherein the crop engaging
members are mowing devices, each mowing device having a defined width,
the crop engaging members positioned in staggered relationship relative
to the central frame.

12. The farm implement assembly of claim 10 wherein the first crop
engaging arms are oriented proximate to the tractor when the device is in
the use position.

13. The farm implement assembly of claim 12 wherein the power
transmission mechanism comprises at least one central junction, at least
one side drive shaft associated with each of the forward crop engaging
arms and at least one intermediate drive shaft operatively connected to
the central junction, the intermediate drive shaft, operatively connected
to the rearward crop engaging arms.

14. The farm implement assembly of claim 13 wherein the power
transmission device includes a differential mounted on the central frame.

15. The farm implement assembly of claim 10 further comprising at least
one control mechanism, the control mechanism configured to operate the
respective crop engaging arms.

16. The farm implement assembly of claim 10 further comprising at least
one mechanism configured to move an associated crop engaging arm from the
first use position to a at least one second position, wherein the device
further comprises at least one central junction, at least one side drive
shaft associated with each of the first crop engaging arms and at least
one intermediate drive shaft operatively connected to the central
junction, the intermediate drive shaft, operatively connected to the
rearward crop engaging arms.

17. The farm implement assembly of claim 10 further comprising at least
one additional crop engaging member the crop engaging member operatively
connected to the front to the tractor, the additional crop engaging
member having a functional width, wherein the functional width of the
additional crop engaging member corresponds to the width of the tractor
and wherein the one of the first crop engaging arms or the second crop
engaging arms are positioned at a location corresponding to an boundary
defined by the functional width, and wherein remaining crop engaging arms
are positioned exterior to a corresponding functional width of the first
or second corresponding crop engaging arms.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/484,181, filed May 9, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, farm implements. More
particularly the present invention pertains to farm implements such as
movers that can be powered by tractor devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Harvesting and mowing operations are integral to farm operations.
Many such operations are accomplished using farm implements towed and
powered by tractors. Tractors are used for a variety of operations on the
modern farm and represent a major capital investment. Thus there is a
strong desire to utilize such devices and to maximize the efficiency of
any operation that is performed by a tractor.

[0004] In farming operations such as mowing and harvesting, various
devices are towed behind the tractor. These include mowers and the like.
These devices can be powered by connection with the power take off
apparatus associated with the tractor. In many instances, the efficiency
of the farming operation such as mowing is dictated by how rapidly a
given field can traversed. In mowing operations this equated to how
rapidly the given field can be mowed.

[0005] It can be appreciated that the efficiency of the operation depends,
at least in part, the size or span of the farm implement. Increased
efficiency can permit harvest of greater crop volumes in a shorter
interval at optimum quality. In order to increase efficiency, heretofore,
farmers have had to increase the numbers of tractors mowing in a given
field, Using multiple tractors increases both capital and labor costs.
Thus it would be desirable to provide a mowing device that could be used
efficiently and effectively to increase harvest efficiency without
increasing capital or labor costs.

[0006] The ability to enlarge or increase the operational capacity of
various tractor drawn and powered farm implements such as mowing devices
has been limited to date. It would be desirable to provide an articulated
farm implement that can be configured to accomplish a scope of farming
operations such as mowing that, heretofore required use of self-powered
farm implements.

SUMMARY

[0007] Disclosed herein is a farm implement configured to be releasibly
coupled to a tractor, the tractor having at least one rearwardly oriented
power take off device. The farm implement includes a central frame that
is configured with means for releasibly coupling the frame to a tractor
and at least two forward crop engaging arms mounted on the frame. The
forward crop engaging arms extend outward from a central axis to a first
width such that the forward crop engaging arms have an outermost end. At
least two rearward crop engaging arms are also mounted on the frame. The
rearward crop engaging arms extend outward from a central axis to a
second width in which the second width is greater than the first width
with the rearward crop engaging arms each having an outermost end. The
device also has a plurality of crop engaging members, with at least one
crop engaging member being positioned on each of said forward and
rearward crop engaging arms. The power transmission mechanism is
configured to be operatively connected to the forward crop engaging arms
and the rearward engaging arms and is configured to be releasibly coupled
to a power take off apparatus on the associated tractor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] In order to more fully understand the present invention, the
following drawing is presented in which like reference numbers are use
throughout the various drawing figures and in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a farm implement
device as disclosed herein in the deployed or use position as attached to
a tractor;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a detail view of an embodiment of a central housing of
the farm implement device of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a detail view of an embodiment of the socket defined in
the central housing of FIG. 2;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a detail view of an embodiment of the forward power
transfer junction of the device of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of an assembly of a tractor and the device
depicted in FIG. 1 in which the forward and rearward crop engaging arms
are in extended position;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the central
frame and associated apparatus of the farm implement device of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the central brace mechanism of an
embodiment of the end frame of the device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the
rear;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a front view of the central brace mechanism of FIG. 8;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a detail of the mounting junction between the
intermediate articulating element and mower element;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a detail view of an embodiment of a single rearward crop
engaging member of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the rearward mowing member and the
forward mowing member of an embodiment disclosed herein;

[0021] FIG. 5 is a detail view of the power transfer mechanism located
between the power transfer junction and the rear mower members;

[0022] FIG. 6 is view of the power transfer mechanism of FIG. 5 in
conjunction with rear mower arm mounted mechanisms;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a detail view of the control mechanism associated with
power transfer mechanisms of the rear mowing units of FIG. 6;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a side detail view of one of the rear mowing units
showing the hydraulic lift actuators;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a detail view of a front mowing unit junction;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a detail of the mounting junction between the
intermediate articulating element and mower element;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a detail view of an embodiment of a single rear arm
member;

[0028] FIG. 12 is a is a detail view of an extension arm associated with
one of the rear mowing units of FIG. 1:

[0029] FIG. 13 is a side detail view of one of the rear mowing units
showing the hydraulic lift actuators on rearward arms;

[0030] FIG. 14. is a detail view of a front mowing unit junction;

[0031] FIG. 15 is a detail perspective view of the mounting junction of
FIG. 14 with landing gear extended;

[0032] FIG. 16 is as detail of the power transfer junction with the rear
transfer member removed and the front mowers in the partially retracted
position;

[0033] FIG. 17 is view of the power transfer mechanism of in conjunction
with rear mower arm mounted mechanisms; and

[0034] FIG. 18 is a detail view of the power transfer mechanism located
between the power transfer junction and the rear mower members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Disclosed herein is a farm implement that is configured to be
releasibly coupled to a tractor that has at least on rearwardly oriented
power take off device. Also disclosed herein is an assembly that
comprises a suitably configured tractor and the farm implement disclosed
herein.

[0036] As depicted in FIG. 1, there is a farm implement device 10 in
combination with a tractor 12. The farm implement device 10 as disclosed
herein includes a central frame 14 that is configured with means for
releasibly coupling the central frame 14 of the farm implement device 10
to the associated tractor 12 such that the device 10 operatively contacts
the power take-off of the associated tractor 12 to transfer power to the
device 10. The coupling means as depicted in FIG. 2, the coupling means
15 includes a socket 16 configured to receive the power take-off of the
associated tractor 12.

[0037] The farm implement device 10 also includes at least two forward
crop engaging arms 18, 18' that project outward from the central frame
14. The forward crop engaging arms 18, 18' can project outward from the
frame at any suitable angle relative to the central frame 14. In the
embodiment depicted in the various drawing figures, the forward crop
engaging arms 18, 18' project laterally outward from the central frame 14
at a 90 degree angle to the central frame 14. The forward crop engaging
arms 18, 18' can be connected to the central frame 14 by any suitable
means. Where desired or required, the forward crop engaging arms 18, 18'
are articulated relative to the central frame 14 such that the forward
crop engaging arms 18, 18' can move from at least one lower crop engaging
position and at least on upper position.

[0038] The forward crop engaging arms 18, 18' each include an extended
elongated section 20 connected to the central frame 14 and extending
outward therefrom. The extended elongated section 20 has an elongated
body member 22 having a first end 24 and an opposed second end 26 distal
to the first end 24. Where desired or required, the extended elongated
section 20 has a length that is equal to one half of the maximum width of
the associated tractor 12. If desired, each elongated arm section 20 can
have suitable means for adjusting the length of the associated elongated
section 20 such that the adjusted length of the extended elongated
section 20 is equal to one half of the maximum width of the associated
tractor 12.

[0039] In the embodiment depicted in the various drawing figures, the
forward crop engaging arms 18, 18' are each connected to suitable mowing
members 26, 26' at the opposed second end 22 of the respective forward
crop. Mowing members 26, 26' can be suitably configured to perform mowing
operations. Mowing members 26, 26' can be commercially available units,
if desired or required. The individual units can be powered by a suitable
external power source. Similarly, the individual units can be configured
to receive external control commands. While mowing members are described
herein, it is contemplated that various other implements may be connected
to forward crop engaging arms 18, 18'.

[0040] It is contemplated that the extended elongated section 20 of each
forward crop engaging arm 18, 18' can be configured to convey external
power to the mowing members 26, 26'. Similarly, each extended elongated
section 20 can be configured to convey control commands to the respective
mowing member 26, 26'. Non-limiting examples of such commands include
start, stop commands as well as speed control commands. The extended
elongated section can also communicate with certain gauges, outputs and
monitors to assess the performance of the associated mowing member 26,
26'. In the embodiment depicted in the drawing figures, the forward crop
engaging arms 18, 18' are connected to a central housing 30 that that is
part of the coupling means 15. The central housing 30 can be configured
to engage the associated tractor 12 and can overly the socket 16
configured to engage the tractor's power take-off unit. The central
housing 30 can also include suitable gauges, power hoses and the like
necessary for the operation of the associated mowing members 26, 26'. The
socket 16 is configured to transfer power from the power takeoff to the
associate mowing units 26, 26'.

[0041] The central housing 30 is mounted on the central frame 14 in any
suitable manner. The central frame 14 can have any suitable
configuration. In the embodiment depicted, the central frame 14 of the
farm implement device 10 is an enforced elongated member that projects
rearward from the back of the tractor 12 when the device 10 is in the use
position. In the embodiment depicted, the central frame 14 is a suitably
configured truss member. The central frame 14 can also be equipped with
one or more landing gears attached at suitable locations. In the
embodiment depicted in the device 10 includes a front landing gear 32
that is contiguously connected to the central housing 30.

[0042] In certain embodiments, it is contemplated that the forward crop
engaging arms 18, 18' can articulate relative to the central frame 14.
The forward crop engaging arms 18, 18' can be pivotally mounted relative
to the central housing 30 or directly to the central frame 14 such that
the respective arms 18, 18' can move from a lower use position to an
upper transit position (not shown). Suitable means can include various
actuators and the like. The farm implement device 10 can also include
suitable hooks 34 and fastening members 36 to hold the arms 18, 18' in
the upright or transit position. The forward crop engaging arms 18, 18'
can also include means for moving the arms 18, 18' between the respective
positions. It is also contemplated that the arm members can be configured
and balanced to permit a user to manually move the arms 18, 18' if
desired or required. The forward crop engaging arms 18. 18' and
associated frame 16 can also include suitable means to modulate and
attenuate any bumps or bouncing to assure that the mowing members 26 are
stable during mowing operations. These can include, but are not limited
to, shock absorbers stabilizers and the like.

[0043] As seen in FIG. 4, in the extended or use position, the forward
crop engaging arms 18, 18' position the associated mowing member 26 at a
location rearward and outside of the associated rear wheel 40 of tractor
12 providing the mower member 26 with a clear path for mowing operations.
The mowing member 26 can have any suitable configuration. Typically the
mowing member 26 will have a cutting member such as rotating cutting
member 42 positioned in a suitable housing 44. In the embodiment
depicted, the second end 26 of elongated body member 20 is connected to
the housing 44 by suitable means and at a suitable position thereon. The
mowing member 26 can also include a suitable flap or cover 46 that
overlies the housing 44 and prevents mud or debris brought up from the
tires 40 of tractor 12 from entering the cutting zone inside the housing
44.

[0044] The farm implement device 10 as disclosed herein includes a
suitable power transmission mechanism 48 that includes at least one
central junction 50 and at least one side drive shaft 52, 52' that is
associated with each of the forward crop engaging arms 18, 18'. The power
transmission mechanism 48 as disclosed herein also includes at least one
intermediate drive shaft 54 that communicates with at least one
additional device associated with the farm implemented device 10 and is
operatively connected to the central junction 50. In the embodiment
depicted in the drawing figures, the intermediate drive shaft is
operatively connected to suitable rearward crop engaging arms 60, 60'
which will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.

[0045] In the embodiment depicted, the central junction 50 can function as
a differential gear box 48 having an outlet that communicates with socket
16 to operatively receive the power take off shaft from the associated
tractor 12. The differential 48 can be mounted to the central frame 16 at
a location rearward of central housing 30. The differential 48 can be
configured to transfer rotational power from the power take off to the
side drive shafts 52, 52' and the intermediate drive shaft 54.

[0046] The farm implement disclosed herein also includes at least two
rearward crop engaging arms 60, 60' that are connected to the central
frame 30 by suitable means. The rearward crop engaging arms 60, 60'
extend outward from a central axis to a second width that is outside or
beyond the width of tractor 12. In the embodiment depicted, the second
width is greater than the first width defined by the forward crop
engaging arms 18, 18' as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0047] The rearward crop engaging arms 60, 60' can be mounted to the
central frame 30 in any suitable manner. In the embodiment depicted in
the drawing figures, the rear region of the central frame 30 can be
removably coupled to an end frame 62 by any suitable means. Where desired
or required, the central frame 30 can be configured with a suitable
connection member 64 that projects upward from the surface of central
frame 30. The connection member 64 can be configured to releasably engage
end frame 62. Thus the connection member 64 can include suitable hooks
70, clamps etc to keep the two elements in secure relationship with one
another during operation and use. In the embodiment depicted, the
connection member 64 can be configured with suitable retractable landing
gear 66 and can be configured with an opening 68 configured to receive
the intermediate drive shaft 54 (associated with rearward crop engaging
arms 60, 60') such that one end of shaft 54 is in operative contact with
the differential 48 and the opposed end be in suitable operative contact
with the rearward crop engaging arms 60,60'.

[0048] For purposes of stability and added functionality, the central
frame 30 can also be configured with an upper brace 68 that extends from
the upper portion of central housing 30 to the top portion of the
connection member 64.

[0049] The rearward crop engaging arms 60,60' are mounted on the end frame
62 in suitable operative orientation. In the embodiment illustrated in
the various drawing figures the end frame 62 is composed of a central
member 70 that is connectable to the central frame 30. In the embodiment
depicted, the central member 70 is a three dimensional frame member
having an engaging section 72 and an opposed back section 74. The central
member 70 of the end frame 62 as depicted in drawing figures is a
frusto-pyramidal member in which the smaller back section 74 is oriented
distal to the engaging section 72. The central member 70 has end bars 76,
76' extending from the top to the bottom of the central member 70.

[0050] An intermediate arm member 78 is pivotally mounted to each of the
respective end bars 76. The intermediate arm members 78 each have a first
end 80 pivotally mounted to the respective end bar 76 and a second end 82
opposed to the first end 80. A mowing member 84 is operatively attached
to the second end 82 of the intermediate arm member 78. The pivotal
motion of the associated intermediate arm member 78 can be controlled by
a suitable device operatively connected to the central housing by any
suitable device or mechanism. In the embodiment depicted in the drawing
figures, the controlling device is an actuator 84 that is connected to
the intermediate arm 78 and the central member 70.

[0051] The intermediate arm member(s) 78 will each have a total length
that projects outward from the central member 70 to a spaced distance
that is sufficient to position the mowing member 84 at a spaced lateral
distance behind and outward from the tractor 12 such that the path of the
mowing member 84 is parallel to the path of the mowing member 26. In
various embodiments, the mowing members 26 and 84 are positioned such
that the paths overlap slightly.

[0052] The rearward crop engaging arms 60, 60' can also include suitable
wires, conduits and the like to deliver power to the respective mowing
members 84. The mowing members 84 can each be configured with a cutting
head 86 such as a rotating cutting head that is mounted in the suitable
housing 88. In the embodiment depicted in the drawing figures, the
intermediate arm members 78 are each composed of a lateral elongated
member 88 that is pivotally mounted to the end bar 76. Each intermediate
arm member 78 and elements associated with it can move between an
extended use position (as shown) and a retracted position suitable for
transit.

[0053] The intermediate arm member 78 can be configured to include a
mounting mechanism 90 that is positioned proximate to the mowing member
80 and distal to the central member 70 of the end frame 62. The mounting
mechanism 90 can be configured with suitable actuators, controls,
stabilizers, etc as desired or required to position and operate the
associated mowing member 84.

[0054] The power transmission mechanism as disclosed herein is operatively
connected to the rearward crop engaging arms 60,60'. In the embodiment
depicted, a suitable power converter is mounted on the end frame 62 that
can transfer power from the intermediate drive shaft 54 to the rearward
crop engaging arms 60,60°. The transferred power can be used for
various operations including but not limited to powering the rotating
cutting head 86, triggering and powering actuators 90 that control
pivotal movement of the crop engaging arms 60,60' as well as controlling
the monitoring the various operations as they occur. In the embodiment
depicted, the power converter converts power transferred from the tractor
power take off through the intermediate drive shaft into electrical
current. Other transfer mechanisms that interact with the intermediate
drive shaft 54 are also considered within the purview of this disclosure.

[0055] The crop engaging members are mowing devices having a defined
width, the crop engaging members positioned in staggered relationship
relative to the central frame. Where desired or required, the tractor 12
can be configured with at least one front-mounted crop engaging member
(not shown). Where employed, it is contemplated that the front-mounted
crop engaging member can have a width that equals or exceeds the greatest
width of the associated tractor 12. In various applications, it is
contemplated that the front-mounted crop engaging member will have a
width that spans the distance between the inwardly oriented crop engaging
heads that are associated with the farm implement device 10. In the
embodiment depicted in the forward crop engaging arms have mower members
inward of the rearward mower members. It is contemplated that the other
orientations of frontward and rearward crop engaging arms are possible.

[0056] The invention has been described in connection with certain
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to
cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.